Blue-and-white Zun Jar with Ten Thousand “Longevity” (Shou) Characters

This jar was made by the Yu kiln and presented to the Kangxi Emperor in celebration of his birthday. Its body is covered in a blue-on-white pattern comprised of a total of 10,000 Chinese characters for “longevity” (shou), which signifies the auspicious wish, “May you attain boundless longevity”. The shou characters are neatly arranged both vertically and horizontally. The script changes according to the contours of the vessel in a smooth and natural way, demonstrating the artisan‘s fine craftsmanship.